Cucinelli's is a fascinating rags-to-riches story. He grew up poor, the son of an Italian sharecropper, and was mocked at school for his country accent and his meager clothes. His father, who had raised sheep, moved the family out of their quaint village in Umbria and to the city when he got a job in a concrete factory. Cucinelli went to engineering school, but he dropped out with a notion of going back to his village to make cashmere sweaters in bright colors.

It was a novel idea, but Cucinelli didn't have a dollar to his name. So he mustered the courage to borrow some cashmere yarn from a friend. With it, he had six sweaters made and took them on the road to sell. His first order was for 50 brightly hued sweaters.

These days, his sweaters are more likely to be in subtle shades of greige. Over the past 30 years, his company has grown from a one-man operation to a $200 million luxury business that employs close to 500 people. During those years Cucinelli has been renovating the village of Solomeo, population 400, that he calls home.

Cucinelli is a fashion entrepreneur known for having a big heart and a social conscience. Through email correspondence, he shared his thoughts about his business, his humble roots and his mission to make the world a better place.

Q: Your women's collections seem to blend luxury and comfort effortlessly. Do you strive for this balance in the design process?

A: The philosophy of the brand is rooted in the balance of luxury and comfort. It is important for a woman to feel luxe in her everyday moment and in something she can wear all day long. I want women to feel elegant, chic and smart but free. We think about this concept when designing every detail of the collection; from fabrics to function, the designs are meant to embrace a woman who lives an active and full life.

Q: What do you think about the athleisure movement in fashion?

A: Our designs have always been rooted in sportswear, so I think it is fantastic that fashion is embracing an element of relaxation. Our concept of athleisure always maintains an element of tailoring to ensure a great balance between sporty and sartorial. Today, people live very busy and stressed lives. I believe that people should live a more relaxed and calm lifestyle, which is the core of our design and philosophies.

Q: How is designing for women similar to and/or different from men?

A: We design with a certain lifestyle in mind and try to look at both the men's and women's collection as a united vision. Women and men have different interests and needs that we cater to, but we like to think about the life of the Cucinelli man and woman big picture as one. Both the men's and women's designs are meant to appeal to a "cross-age" demographic so that many generations can wear and express themselves in our collections.

Q: You've been able to maintain the simple pleasures from your upbringing in a farming community as you manage an international fashion company. Is this hard to do?

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Brunello's favorite things

Favorite food: Pasta al Pomodoro. "It is simple, fresh and flavorful. I also love fresh bread with prosciutto and fresh parmesan for snacks."

Favorite item of clothing: Blue sweater

Favorite place to travel: Solomeo. "Here, I travel with my mind."

Favorite music: "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso"

Favorite color: Navy

Favorite smell: Bread and tomato

A: I love my roots and home in Umbria. I would not picture myself living or making a life in any other place. It is where my heart is. My upbringing is the inspiration as to why I started this company - to create a company based in humanistic capitalism.

Q: We love that no one in your company can be online or receive emails after 5:30 p.m. How does that work in a society that works 24 hours a day?

A: I think it is very important to have balance and enjoy living life. Today, people are too stressed and work too much. I have always run my company with these ideals, and I think it has created a very happy but hardworking group of people. During the day, we are very focused and committed to our work. By the evening, people can spend time with their families and find time to do something that inspires them. The important thing is to empower people to be curious, cultured and creative. This then ultimately shows up in their work and contributions to the brand.

Q: How has the business of fashion changed for you since you started in the 1980s?

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A: We have tried to maintain high quality, a high level of creativity and craftsmanship.

Q: If you could only design one thing in fashion, what would it be?

A: Cashmere knitwear.

Q: What's your favorite thing about designing?

A: The process of creativity; I like very much when people of different ages come together and express their ideas about design. It's a beautiful moment.

Q: What are your personal wardrobe staples?

A: I think the blazer is one of the most important things to have in the wardrobe. It can transform an outfit while being both dressy and sporty.

Q: You've talked about your love of silence. You even thought about becoming a monk at one point. What does silence give you?

A: Silence gives me the space to think, to inspire and be creative. When life is too stressed or chaotic, one cannot create fluidly. In silence, I value the time I have reading, writing and studying as it challenges me to keep learning, growing and listening. I value the inspiration and ideas that come from being quiet, still and at peace."

Q: Tell us about your daily workout and the Five Tibetan Rites exercises.

A: I dedicate about two hours per day to exercising. I start my day with one hour of swimming. After swimming, I dedicate 20 minutes to the Five Tibetan Rites, which is an ancient form of yoga. At the end of the day, I play soccer, tennis or run.

Q: Your renovation project of Solomeo sounds incredible. You're creating new production facilities, play space for children, parks to grow produce. Why is this important to you?

A: When I decided to create the company, leaving a legacy that impacted people's lives was important to me. I knew I wanted to create something bigger and more meaningful that truly gives back to humanity and investing in people's quality of life.

Q: What brings you the most joy?

A: "Spending time with my wife, daughters and granddaughters. I find great joy in being with my family, enjoying simple, pleasurable things. We love to eat together, laugh together, and be active together."